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The man who changed my world view, forever.

Lt. Gregory Gagarin, 1943; Awards, 2013; Legacy, 2017.

Late last Fall I completed my tenth book, Project Zebra. Roosevelt and Stalin’s Top-Secret Mission to Train 300 Soviet Airman in America.

The book took three years to recreate with the help of my knowledgeable collaborator, Gregory Gagarin, 96. He was the mission’s last living survivor in either Russia or the United States. Gregory’s vivid recollections, magnificent collection of Zebra memorabilia, and his infectious enthusiasm, were my light, my truth, my guide.

At first glance, Project Zebra, may sound like a history book, it’s not. It’s a celebration of humanity; the story of how men from two very different societies came to understand, respect and trust each other, despite language barriers and long-held cultural stereotypes.

Ironically, during our years together, Gregory’s health began to fail, he became blind, so he never got to see his final legacy. But, I read, and he approved, every word. He was also pleased about the glowing reviews from all over the world.

Last week Gregory passed peacefully at home among family and friends.

What follows is my eulogy to the man, who has changed my world view forever, and reminded me about the importance of eternal friendships.

We shall meet again.

CELEBRATION OF A GREAT LIFE:
GREGORY GAGARIN
(1922-2018)



MY NAME IS MATT CRISCI. I’M AN AUTHOR WHO CAME TO KNOW GREG AND WIFE ANN AS FAMILY DURING THE PAST 10 YEARS.

WE MET AT VARIOUS D.C. FUNCTIONS, WHICH WERE FOLLOWED BY DINNERS AT THE CONGRESSIONAL CLUB, AND VISITS TO THE GAGARIN HOME IN CHEVY CHASE. I QUICKLY CAME TO REALIZE, GREGORY GAGARIN WAS A KIND, THOUGHTFUL, INTELLIGENT, AND REMARKABLY GENTLE MAN. OUR CHEMISTRY WAS THAT OF TWO BROTHERS. WE CAME TO TRUST AND RESPECT EACH OTHER.

SOMEWHERE ALONG THE WAY, HE DISCUSSED HIS INVOLVEMENT IN A LITTLE-KNOWN, TOP-SECRET WORLD WAR II MILITARY MISSION CALLED PROJECT ZEBRA. MANY OF YOU HERE TODAY MAY HAVE HEARD BITS AND PIECES ABOUT THE MISSION FROM GREG.

HE ASKED ME IF I WOULD HELP CODIFY HIS RECOLLECTIONS AS A LEGACY FOR THE GENERATIONS OF GAGARINS YET TO COME. MY RESPECT HAD TURNED TO LOVE, SO I AGREED TO HELP CREATE THAT LEGACY.

BUT, A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ALONG THE WAY. MY ADDITONAL RESEARCH SUGGESTED WE HAD IN HAND ONE OF THE LAST GREAT UNTOLD STORIES OF WORLD WAR II. I BECAME A HISTORICAL DICK TRACEY. MY FINDINGS EVEN SURPRISED GREG.

DURING THE PROCESS GREG’S HEALTH BEGAN TO SLIP NOTICEABLY. BUT HIS MIND REMAINED CLEAR, HIS RESOLVE GREATER THAN EVER. DEAR ANN, WHO I CAME TO L0VINGLY CALL “THE BABE’ WAS THE PROJECT EDITOR, CHEEERLEADER, AND COACH. IN THE END, SHE BECAME GREG’S EYES, EARS, AND HEART.

AS FATE WOULD HAVE IT, WE COMPLETED PROJECT ZEBRA NOT LONG BEFORE GREG CROSSED THE ULTIMATE FINISH LINE. WHILE HE KNEW OF THE CONTENTS, HE NEVER SAW THE FINAL VERSION BEFORE BLINDNESS STOLE HIS VISION. THAT MADE ME SAD.

ON THE SUNDAY BEFORE HE PASSED, SOMETHING TOLD ME TO CALL GREG AND SAY HELLO. HE TOLD ME HE WAS FAILING NOTICEABLY. I CRIED. HE HEARD ME. I TOLD HIM TO HAVE A BOURBON. HE LAUGHED.

HE TOLD ME IT HAD BEEN HIS HONOR TO KNOW ME. I SAID, NO IT’S BEEN MY HONOR. A FEW DAYS LATER, DAUGHTER KATHERINE CALLED. SHE DIDN’T HAVE TO SAY ANYTHING, I KNEW.

IF I WAS THERE TODAY, I’D RAISE A GLASS OF WHISKEY AND LEAD YOU ALL IN A TOAST TO MY DEAR FRIEND. TONIGHT, I WILL DO THAT IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA. I INVITE ALL OF YOU TO DO LIKEWISE. I KNOW GREG WILL FEEL THE LOVE.

DATE: Apr.20.2018 | CATEGORY: | COMMENTS: 0